Santa Monica College’s new A.S. President, Ailsa Ortiz, shares how her past has shaped who she is today and her need to fight for change. 

Police ended a skating event with kinetic projectiles after people threw glass bottles at them. 

The Los Angeles Police Department violated a preliminary injunction, hit a protester with a car and trampled protesters with horses after a “No Kings” protest.  

The 50501 Movement held their second “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18.

Police recovered $500,000 in stolen goods from the popular LA shoe store Coolkicks.

The Board of Trustees

After a weekend of protest and praise, ABC reinstates Jimmy Kimmel after indefinitely suspending him for his comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder.

People held numerous vigils for Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination to honor his legacy and societal impact.

A felony investigation is underway after Santa Monica Police Department attempted a traffic stop of a wanted vehicle by LAPD, leading to a short pursuit.  The driver was found to be suffering from an injury and was transported to the hospital.

 Independence Day demonstrators attend Catholic mass, march into a faceoff and clash with federal police.

Israel’s military campaign in Iran, as well as America’s involvement in the conflict,  prompted conflicting protests in front of the Wilshire Federal Building.

 Protesters organized a “No Sleep for ICE” demonstration at the Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport on June 19, after federal immigration agents allegedly checked into the hotel. 

Law enforcement officers unleashed self-described “numerous” amounts of less-lethal munitions on “No Kings” protesters, after issuing an unlawful assembly order. 

Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew to curtail protesters—while attending a vigil for immigrant solidarity. On the first night of curfew, many resisted by continuing to protest downtown; 17 were arrested on curfew violations.

On Monday, June 9, 2025 protests across Los Angeles County continued after a recent wave of ICE deportations, marking day 4 of the protests. 

On Sunday, June 8, 2025 protests across Los Angeles County continued after a recent wave of ICE deportations, marking day 3 of the protests. 

In Paramount and neighboring city Compton on June 7, a chaotic scene unfolded with cops and protesters squaring up in a commercial area. For hours in the evening, protesters scattered throughout Alondra Boulevard, yelling, playing music, dancing, and sometimes clutching their faces and running when the Sheriff’s Department line by the 710 Freeway deployed tear gas.

Since Friday, steadfast protests in L.A. county countering ICE raids have expanded and intensified, leading to tensions between police and demonstrators. Trump summoning 2,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to protect government personnel is estimated to cost $134 million. As finals season starts, SMC is urging faculty to be flexible with students affected by the “unprecedented events” going on in the city.

Following a series of immigration enforcement actions in L.A. on Friday, activist groups threw an impromptu rally at the Federal Building. Protesters threw rocks and bottles, and shot some fireworks, while DHS officers fired tear gas and pepper balls. Los Angeles police enforced a dispersal order with rubber bullets.

Amidst the Trump administration's new policies on immigration, the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica College find ways to respond.